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| Tips on How to Keep Your Smile Healthy |
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1. Brush twice a day |
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| Brushing is the key to good dental health, fighting gum disease and a healthy, beautiful smile for life. Remember to brush twice a day for at least two minutes morning and night, giving attention to the gum line with small circular movements. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2. Floss before brushing |
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| Flossing helps remove food particles that get stuck between your teeth. If these particles remain between teeth, dental health problems such as cavities and gingivitis can result. It is best to floss before brushing to remove plaque and loosen debris from the tooth surface. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Get dental checkups at least twice a year |
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| Visiting the dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings is imperative for dental health and to maintain your healthy, beautiful smile. It is especially important for women who take birth control pills, or who are pregnant or menopausal, as they have an increased susceptibility to oral care problems such as gum disease and cavities. Sign up for our free reminder service, and we'll make sure you never forget an appointment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4. Limit sodas, coffee and alcohol |
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| Although these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body's level of calcium. This causes dental health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. Put out the cigarette |
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| Smoking cigarettes is one of the greatest contributors to an unhealthy mouth. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 22 million women in the United States smoke cigarettes. In addition to staining teeth, smoking interrupts calcium absorption in the body and can also cause potentially life-threatening diseases such as oral and lung cancers. So stop smoking and enjoy the health benefits as well as a healthy, beautiful smile. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6. Visit your dentist before and during pregnancy |
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| Expectant mothers can suffer from pregnancy gingivitis caused by hormonal changes and increased blood flow in the body. To help prevent this, women planning a pregnancy should have their teeth cleaned to remove gingivitis and get a periodontal screening. Once pregnant, women should schedule regular dental checkups so any new gum disease resulting from their pregnancy is appropriately addressed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7. Increase your calcium intake |
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| After age 30, women experience a 25 percent reduction in bone density. Restore lost calcium with a daily supplement and by eating fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens. These foods will also help to lower the acid buildup in the saliva that can lead to breakdown of tooth enamel. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8. Sleep at least 8 hours nightly |
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| Sleep allows the body to be replenished and renewed. Plus, you're more likely to flash your healthy, beautiful smile if you're well rested. According to the National Sleep Foundation, women are more likely than men to experience insomnia. Lack of sleep will cause a woman's immune system to become rundown and depleted. This leaves you susceptible to infection from oral bacteria in your mouth. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9. Take a daily dose of vitamins C and D |
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| Vitamins C and D help support the absorption of healthy mouth minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and gum tissue, keeping it healthy. This is an easy way to maintain dental health and fight gum disease. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10. Use the right toothbrush |
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| Whether for children or adults, Crest Oral-B® has a variety of manual and power toothbrushes to meet all your dental needs. It's important to select just the right toothbrush, so look for one that will give you the clean you need with comfort and control. Getting a healthy, beautiful smile with Crest Oral-B toothbrushes is easy. Click on Crest Toothbrushes to see our manual brush options and Crest Oral-B® for power brush choices. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11. Replace your toothbrush |
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| Replacing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months when the bristles become frayed and worn will keep your cleaning effective. Also replace your toothbrush or powered-toothbrush head after you have been sick to avoid harmful bacteria that may be stored on the toothbrush bristles. Click on Crest Toothbrushes to see our manual brush options and Crest Oral-B® for power brush choices. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12. Use a mouthwash |
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| Using a mouthwash like Crest Pro-Health Rinse can reduce plaque that causes gingivitis and kill germs that cause bad breath leaving your breath feeling fresh and clean. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13. Eat tooth friendly |
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| Avoid sticky sweets that stick to your teeth and cause cavities, such as taffies and soft candies. Don't chew on ice, hard candies or other hard materials that can crack your teeth. Make sure to eat foods such as apples and carrots that clean the teeth naturally. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References: Crest.com American Dental Association |
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